Swiss Drugmaker Sandoz Accuses Chinese Firms of Antibiotic Dumping, Urges EU Probe

Swiss pharmaceutical giant Sandoz has lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission, accusing Chinese suppliers of engaging in anti-competitive practices in the antibiotics market. The company alleges that Chinese manufacturers benefit from substantial state subsidies, enabling them to offer antibiotics at prices below cost, thereby distorting fair market competition.

Sandoz specifically highlighted the import of amoxicillin, a widely used antibiotic, citing clear signs of "market-distorting behavior." The company stated that this situation makes it impossible for European local producers to compete, threatening the continent's domestic production capacity for essential medicines. This marks the first such anti-dumping case in the pharmaceutical sector in decades, according to Sandoz.

Richard Saynor, CEO of Sandoz, emphasized the strategic vulnerability created by the global reliance on antibiotics, with up to 90% of active ingredients produced outside Europe, primarily in China. He warned that this dependency poses a significant risk to public health, crisis response capabilities, and Europe's standing in a rapidly changing world. Sandoz urges the European Commission to launch a formal investigation to justify the imposition of defensive tariffs on Chinese antibiotic imports.

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Currently, up to 90% of antibiotic active ingredients globally are produced outside Europe, primarily in China. This situation constitutes a serious strategic vulnerability that directly affects public health, crisis response capabilities, and Europe's ability to defend its position in a rapidly changing world.